Xavi on a mission to make Qatar team shine in 2022

It is clear that the Qatar national football team pulls less rank in the global football community than the counters' financial might, but nevertheless, the side will want to make their fans proud when they host the World Cup in 2022.

A seemingly key figure in the development of football in the Middle East, Spain and FC Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez , currently playing for top flight side Al Sadd, is keen to do his bit to help the country progress.

Having only established a national side in 1970, Qatar has plenty lengths to aspire to in order to become a key nation among the footballing elite.

Although more well known for its economic might that its footballing prowess, with Ligue 1 side Paris Saint Germain being funded by the state, Qatar are making progress, albeit slowly.

Qatar's successful World Cup bid in 2010 saw them become the first nation since Italy in 1934 to host the tournament without ever having qualified for it.

Who knows, perhaps the middle eastern country can emulate the Italians' success on the global stage; they have since won four World Cup titles, the first being in their maiden appearance in the competition. 

Of course, it is unlikely that Qatar will pull off a masterstroke and win the tournament when it comes to town in 2022, with the side not having any household names in the current ranks. However, that won't stop fans and players dreaming.

Xavi Hernandez, a World Cup and European champion with Spain, believes that the team may not be far off a strong showing in the upcoming tournament, as the level of football in the country is always improving.

He recently spoke to the assembled press, insisting: " “Now it is improving a lot. When I came here three years ago, the league was different, the level was I think less, now it has improved a lot because the foreign players are better than before, the coaches are better, I think they are doing well."

The veteran added: " It’s good for the Qatari players; they can learn many things from the foreign players.”

Midfielder Xavi did highlight the need for an increase in supporters at Qatari grounds; his first match for Al Sadd was played in front of only 400 fans. 

He told the press: " “In the Emir cup, in the [Asian] Champions League, the stadium was full. It depends on the game. Today, OK, it is an easy game for us and people stay at home to watch the game [on TV]. Generally the crowds are not so big. We have to find some solution to excite the people to come for this kind of game. I don’t know how.”

 

March 24, 2016

However in spite of low supporter numbers, Xavi is confident that the first ever winter World Cup will be made a success by Qatar. 

Xavi insisted: "They are preparing well, they had many years to prepare, all the construction, the stadiums; people here are excited. Because it is in December, the players will be in better fitness, the [move to winter] I think is a very good solution, this weather is fantastic, 25, 30 degrees. I think it will be one of the best World Cups in history.”